John Hunter was a preacher at Trinity Church, Glasgow and later at the venerable King’s Weigh House Chapel in London during the late 18th, early 19th century. He is most well known for his publication of “Devotional Services for Public Worship” which was the most popular service book of its day in non-conformist circles (non-anglicans). He was widely regarded for his language of prayer and sentiment in worship.

Here is one of his prayers addressing the congregation before taking the Lord’s Supper.

“Ye that do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins and are in love and charity with your neighbors, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in His holy ways; draw near with reverence, faith, and thanksgiving, and take the Supper of the Lord to your comfort.

Come to this sacred Table, not because you must, but because you may: come to testify not that you are righteous, but that you sincerely love our Lord Jesus Christ, and desire to be His true disciples: come, not because you are strong, but because you are weak; not because you have any claim on Heaven’s rewards, but because in your frailty and sin you stand in constant need of Heaven’s mercy and help: come, not to express an opinion, but to seek a Presence and pray for a Spirit.

And now that the Supper of the Lord is spread before you, lift up your minds and hearts above all selfish fears and cares; let this bread and this wine be to you the witnesses and signs of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit. Before the Throne of the Heavenly Father and the Cross of the Redeemer make your humble confession of sin, consecrate your lives to the Christian obedience and service, and pray for strength to do and to bear the holy and blessed will of God.”